So my grandma is making my wedding dress and I was sent fabric shopping today. Let me tell you– there are wayyyyy too many fabric choices! I am in over my head! Anyways, I thought I would get the bees opinion on what looks good with flash photography (Yes, I took flash photos at the fabric store haha. I got many odd looks!). I am afraid of being too shiny in pictures on my wedding day (looks like prom!) and am looking for a minimally shiny, yet still somewhat shiny dress fabric. Please vote on your favorite. Also please let me know if you think I should choose ivory or white fabric. Thanks!

This is the dress that I am basing my dress off (notice that it is not super shiny- I like it!):

Here is Casa Collection Satin White fabric:

Here is Ivory Silk Dupioni (I thought silk would appear less shiny than polyester, but this silk looks just as shiny!):

These last four pictures are of Ivory Bridal Satin (the last picture shows a comparison between the ivory and white colors). The bridal satin appeared to be the least shiny in normal lighting, but it still appears fairly shiny under flash photography.

Here is a picture without flash:

Here are the pictures of Ivory Bridal Satin with flash:

This picture shows the comparison between ivory and white bridal satin:

Tinatiny1: I like the idea of silk as well, but I am suprised at how shiny it gets with flash photography. Maybe it was just the silk fabric I tested though. I am thinking about testing out a few other brands of silk fabric.

Thank you to everyone else for voting! It looks like it’s a running between Ivory Bridal Satin and Silk Dupoini, which are my top two choices as well! It is going to be a tough decision!

I am voting for the Silk Dupioni! I think the drape will be really lovely for the skirt (I am assuming would line whichever fabric you choose; the silk will definitely need to be lined). Natural fibers breathe better, and although it has a sheen, I don’t think it will look “shiny” the same way a shiny satin would. Natural silk is also a lot easier to sew with; less puckering at the seams, etc… in my experience, so the finished product may look a bit more “polished”. Just something to think about 🙂 I am assuming you are at JoAnn’s (with the casa collection satin!), have you considered ording swatches online from somewehre like Thai Silks? Dharma Trading Company has many silk options as well in white and ivory. If you aren’t in love with a material and would like to keep looking I have been happy with both of those online resources.

marchweddingbells: do you think they might be less shiny with fabric underneath it? The dress you showed obviously has layers of fabric under it, and I wonder if it would help the fabric to lose it’s shiny-ness. Just a thought! 🙂

As far as color goes, when I went to try on dresses the bridal consultant said unless I needed bright white for religious reasons, they would highly recommend ivory or a slightly off-white color.

I can tell you right now that almost every fabric you’ll see on a wedding dress (not counting lace, tulle, lining, etc.) will be silk or satin. Both of these fabrics reflect light, so they’re always going to look at least a little “shiny,” which you actually want b/c that’s what prevents you from looking washed out, esp. if you’re pale. Seriously, hold some white silk/satin next to your face, then hold up some white cotton; unless you’re super super tan, the silk/satin is going to look LOADS better. Now some silks/satins will look MORE shiny than others, but if you pick out the LEAST shiny silk/satin, you should be good. It shouldn’t be too shiny in pictures, even with flash. (And yes, lining will probably make it look less shiny in a flash picture.)

As far as picking between silk or satin, there are several things to consider. Breathability and drape have both been mentioned already. I would also consult your grandmother, since she’s making it, for her input, maybe even invite her fabric shopping with you. She might find 1 fabric easier to sew than the other, have more experience with a fabric, etc., and would be able to speak better on the specific fabrics if she’s there with you and able to touch them, judge the weight and drape, etc.

I’m sewing my own wedding dress! (not starting for a few months though). I used to work at Joann fabrics and I’d suggest Casa over the others. Honestly though, I would look for a better quality fabric. Joann’s fabric is nice for many uses, but I don’t know if a wedding is one of them, unfortunately.

Here are some options I’ve found. They’re all synthetic, because as a vegan I don’t wear silk. I wanted to find the highest quality synthetics I could!

CHristine2809: Wow thank you so much for the helpful information! What about Joann’s bridal fabric makes it bad? I am new to fabric shopping and probably couldn’t tell you good from bad fabric, but I would love to learn! What makes the Casa Collection better than Bridal Inspirations? Any info would be greatly appreciated! I am definitely going to order some samples from the websites you listed. It sounds like you know what is nice and I would love to see the samples! I was wondering what kind of dress style you are making for yourself? Do you have an inspiration picture?

marchweddingbells: You’re welcome! It’s not that Joann’s fabric is bad necessarily… I’ve just seen snags and discolorations throughout the bolt sometimes. As long as you examine it closely before buying it shouldn’t be too bad. It can also be weirdly folded and creased. Deep creases can be hard to get out of satin. I’ve never seen satin being cut at a different store, but I would assume, especially if they are used to selling bridal fabric, that they might take more care with it. It may just be my bias as a former employee, and since I haven’t worked in other fabric stores, I could just be off base.

The Casa collection fabrics were always better cared for, at least in my store. They were what we would point people towards if they wanted something for a special occasion.

I don’t have any experience with Fabric Depot, but in general I would recommend getting samples from anywhere online just to be sure you like it before you buy it. Joann also does free samples if you want to have some to compare. It looks like the “Dancelight” is a more standard shiny satin. If you’re looking for less shine, I think the Duchesse would be the way to go. It’s also “heavier” in a less flimsy kind of way, but that also means it’s hotter.

This is the vintage pattern I’m using for my dress. I’m obsessed with it!